Propak East Africa Conference 2026
The Propak East Africa Conference is a three-day, knowledge-driven programme equipping industry professionals with practical insights across packaging, printing, and food & beverage processing.
Marking Propak’s 10th edition — “10 Years of Innovation & Excellence” — the conference focuses on innovation, compliance, sustainability, and market readiness, supporting East African businesses to compete locally, regionally, and globally.
Click on the link Propak EA 2026 Conference Registration
Day 1 – Eastern African Packaging Summit (4th Edition)
A masterclass-led summit focused on packaging compliance, sustainability, brand protection, and emerging innovations, featuring industry leaders, regulators, and global experts, alongside the Official Opening Ceremony of Propak East Africa 2026.
Day 2 – Printing Training Day by Printing SA
A dedicated skills-development day delivering practical, industry-relevant training to upskill professionals across the printing, packaging, and branding value chain, with pathways to further accreditation and professional growth.
Day 3 – Unlocking East Africa’s Processing Potential
An in-depth exploration of food and beverage processing, examining innovation, value addition, quality, safety, finance, and market access to help processors scale, compete, and future-proof their operations.
- Day 01 Tuesday 3 March 2026
- Day 02 Wednesday 4 March 2026
- Day 03 Thursday 5th March 2026
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10:00-10:2010.20-10.40Day 01 Tuesday 3 March 2026 10.20-10.40
Enabling AfCFTA Through Packaging: Opportunities, Challenges & Market Access
10:20 -11:20Day 01 Tuesday 3 March 2026 10:20 -11:20Foundations of Packaging: Compliance, Materials & Market Readiness
This session establishes the essentials of effective packaging for East African industries. It will explore packaging materials, design principles, and compliance requirements critical for both local and export markets. Delegates will gain clarity on quality benchmarks, standards, and material selection that ensure safety, shelf appeal, and competitiveness across sectors.
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09.30 -10.00Day 02 Wednesday 4 March 2026 09.30 -10.00
Printing SA Welcome & Overview
10.00 – 10.30Day 02 Wednesday 4 March 2026 10.00 – 10.30Research Findings – Trends & Opportunities in Printing & Packaging
- Overview of the Printing Industry (employment, volume output, GDP contribution, market positioning)
- Printing Industry Growth (past 5 years and outlook for the next 5 years)
- Local and global trends
- Printing SA industry-focused initiatives for 2026
10.30 – 12.00Day 02 Wednesday 4 March 2026 10.30 – 12.00Hybrid Inkjet Printing for Packaging
Phil will focus on hybrid inkjet printing for packaging as the smart way forward, sharing independent insight into where hybrid truly works and where it does not, answering real commercial and operational questions you won’t find in brochures.
12.15 – 13.30Day 02 Wednesday 4 March 2026 12.15 – 13.30Design for Print: Bridging Creativity in Print and Packaging
Addressing the critical intersection of design in print and packaging production, including understanding print specifications, colour management, pre-press workflow optimisation, designing for different printing processes, and building effective collaboration between designers and printers. The integrative role of AI and Generative AI in designing for print and packaging will also be comprehensively explored.
14.30 – 15.30Day 02 Wednesday 4 March 2026 14.30 – 15.30Printing Expanded Colour Gamut (ECG): From Theory to Proven Performance
15.45 – 16.00 -
10:15 – 10:4511:15 – 11:4511:45 – 12:30Day 03 Thursday 5th March 2026 11:45 – 12:30
Beyond the Bottle: Innovation & Authenticity in East Africa’s Beverage Industry
East Africa’s beverage sector is undergoing a creative revolution, blending tradition with innovation. This panel will unpack how brands are responding to consumer demand for authenticity, functionality, and sustainability — from teas and dairy-based drinks to craft brews and natural beverages.
1:00– 2:002:00– 2:45Day 03 Thursday 5th March 2026 2:00– 2:45Cracking Regional & Global Markets: What It Takes for East African Processors to Compete
Market standards, certifications, buyer expectations, and regional trade policies.
2:45– 3:303:30– 4:00Day 03 Thursday 5th March 2026 3:30– 4:00The SME Story – Building Processing Businesses That Scale
What does it take for a small food processor to grow into a thriving regional brand? This spotlight session shares the journey of Burton & Bamber, offering lessons on scaling, market entry, and resilience for other SMEs in the processing sector.
